BRICASTI DESIGN M15 Pro

Product overview

The BRICASTI DESIGN M15 Pro is the Model 15 Professional Series stereo power amplifier: a balanced, fully differential power amplifier rated at 120 W into 8 Ω, 400 W into 4 Ω and 500 W into 2 Ω, designed to perform under the most challenging conditions with well-controlled bass, fast transient attack and spot-on imaging.

The power amplifier is a critical part of the audio chain: it has to amplify the incoming signal and, most importantly, deal with the load of the loudspeaker and control its back EMF with precision. The sound of the M15 Pro is intended to be transparent and revealing with low distortion, fully dynamic with no sense of limits or compression, on any loudspeaker. A true reference design in analog power amplification, it offers extremely low distortion with moderate power and a truly balanced topology; driven by a BRICASTI DESIGN M1 DAC or M12 Source Controller it achieves a fully differential signal path from the converter to the loudspeaker.

Key features

• 120 W / 400 W / 500 W per channel into 8, 4 and 2 Ω
• Balanced, fully differential topology, based on the BRICASTI DESIGN M28 mono blocks
• THD below 0.005 %, 20 Hz - 20 kHz at full rated power
• Frequency response 10 Hz - 150 kHz within 0.5 dB; gain 27 dB
• Input trim control in 6 dB steps, up to 18 dB, for gain staging with digital sources
• Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs
• Linear power supplies with a filtered 15 A IEC inlet and mains voltage sensing
• Idle, standby and on modes; 5 or 12 V DC trigger in and out
• Milled and CNC-machined solid aluminium construction, anodised and laser etched
• Handcrafted in the USA

Precise control of the loudspeaker

The M15 Pro is built to take the incoming signal and control the loudspeaker's back EMF with precision. Its sound is intended to be transparent, revealing and fully dynamic, and it was tuned over many hours of listening with all types of music, in the studio and in the home.

Balanced from converter to loudspeaker

Its truly balanced topology is rarely seen in the industry. Combined with a BRICASTI DESIGN M1 DAC or M12 Source Controller, the signal stays fully differential from the converter to the loudspeaker. Unbalanced RCA inputs are provided for convenience.

Made for modern systems

The M15 Pro is intended to integrate seamlessly into an existing system in a more compact form factor. Its trim control lets it be gain staged correctly, which is critical when today's digital sources drive the amplifier directly: large amounts of attenuation are made in the analog domain, and only a few dB in the source.

Safe power sequence

The front panel has a Power switch, a status LED and a Standby key. Power puts the amplifier in idle (about 2 W); Standby brings it to full power with muted inputs for pre-heating; a second press unmutes it. The supply checks the mains voltage before allowing power up.

In the box

• M15 Pro stereo power amplifier
• AC power cord with 15 A IEC connector

BRICASTI DESIGN M15 Pro: frequently asked questions

How powerful is the M15 Pro?

120 W per channel into 8 Ω, 400 W into 4 Ω and 500 W into 2 Ω.

Can it be driven directly from a D/A converter?

Yes. The rear-panel input trim lowers the input sensitivity in four 6 dB steps, up to 18 dB, so a D/A converter with a digital level control can drive it directly.

Does it have balanced and unbalanced inputs?

Yes: balanced XLR inputs (200 kΩ) and unbalanced RCA inputs (100 kΩ). When the RCA inputs are used, an XLR shorting plug terminates the balanced input.

Can it be switched on remotely?

Yes: a 5 or 12 V DC trigger on the rear TRS jack switches it in and out of standby.

Where can I buy the BRICASTI DESIGN M15 Pro in India?

The BRICASTI DESIGN M15 Pro is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Studio monitoring from a fully differential D/A

Studios driving passive monitors from a BRICASTI DESIGN converter.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the speaker cables first, with spade, ring or banana connectors.
2. Connect balanced XLR interconnects.
3. Press Power (idle), then Standby twice to reach On.
4. Set the rear trim so the source attenuates only a few dB digitally.

Tip: The trim gives 4 steps of 6 dB, up to 18 dB of attenuation.

Workflow 2: Direct drive from a source with digital volume control

Systems with no preamplifier.

Connections

Setup

1. Leave the trim at no attenuation to start.
2. Play the most dynamic material at the loudest listening level.
3. Turn the trim counter-clockwise in 6 dB steps until the source uses only a few dB of digital attenuation.
4. Keep large attenuation in the analog domain.

Tip: This keeps low-level resolution in the digital attenuator.

Workflow 3: Trigger-controlled system

Installations where a controller or preamplifier switches the amplifier.

Connections

Setup

1. Wire tip and ring as the trigger input; sleeve is chassis ground.
2. Apply 5 or 12 V DC to switch standby.
3. Leave the front Power switch on (idle draws about 2 W).
4. Use standby to pre-heat before a session.

Tip: In standby the amplifier is fully powered with muted inputs, about 60 W.

Workflow 4: Unbalanced source

Sources with RCA outputs only.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the RCA cables.
2. Fit shorting plugs on the unused XLR inputs.
3. Power up through idle, standby and on.
4. Set the trim as needed.

Tip: The shorting plug terminates the balanced input correctly for best performance.

Workflow 5: Surround or multi-room listening rooms

Studios equipping listening rooms with several amplifiers.

Connections

Setup

1. Set each amplifier's trim to match.
2. Link trigger out to trigger in to switch them together.
3. Bring the system to standby before use.
4. Put each amplifier back to standby before switching off.

Tip: Standby first, then power off, for a clean, safe shutdown.

Workflow 6: Safe power-up and power-down

Every user, every day.

Connections

Setup

1. Press Power: the LED flashes about once a second (idle).
2. Press Standby: the LED blinks faster (standby, muted).
3. Press Standby again: the LED is solid and audio passes.
4. Hold Standby for about 2 s to return to idle.

Tip: The supply checks the mains voltage before allowing power up.